Laertes (son of Polonius)
“I came to Denmark to show my Laertes declares loyalty to Claudius
duty in your coronation.” at the coronation. Exemplifies how
nobles must publicly show
allegiance to royal power, in
contrast to Hamlet’s resistance.
“For Hamlet, and the trifling of his Laertes compares Hamlet’s
favor, Hold it a fashion and a toy in affection to a fleeting flower —
blood, A violet in the youth of intense but short-lived. Exemplifies
primy nature, Forward, not scepticism about youthful passion
permanent, sweet, not lasting,” and foreshadows Ophelia’s
disappointment.
“Think it no more. For nature Laertes warns that as Hamlet
crescent° does not grow alone In matures physically, his mind and
thews° and bulk, but as this duties will grow too. Exemplifies
temple° waxes, The inward service the idea that Hamlet’s future
of the mind and soul Grows wide responsibilities as prince outweigh
withal.” personal love.
“his will is not his own. For he Hamlet’s desires are constrained
himself is subject to his birth.” by duty to Denmark. Exemplifies
Renaissance ideas of rank and duty
over personal freedom, and the
tension between private love and
public role.
“Then weigh what loss your honor Laertes urges Ophelia to consider
may sustain” her reputation if she yields to
Hamlet. Exemplifies the patriarchal
obsession with female chastity as
central to family honour.
“Or lose your heart, or your chaste He warns that Hamlet’s lust could
treasure open To his unmastered rob her of both love and virginity.
importunity.” Exemplifies how female sexuality is
framed as a “treasure” that must
be guarded.
“Out of the shot and danger of Even the most cautious woman
desire. The chariest maid is risks ruin if she engages desire.
prodigal enough” Exemplifies how women are
depicted as vulnerable and must
distance themselves from
temptation.
“Be wary then; best safety lies in Laertes insists fear is the best form
fear;” of protection. Exemplifies how
Ophelia is taught to live
defensively, embodying the
repression of women’s autonomy.
Messenger: “The cry….’Laertes The people's cry for Laertes as
shall be King! Laertes King!’” king reflects political instability
in Denmark and the fragility of
, Claudius' rule. It shows how
grief and anger can erupt into
rebellion, linking private tragedy
(Polonius' death) with public
disorder. This moment
underscores the theme of
legitimacy and foreshadows
Claudius' downfall.
“O though vile King, Give me my Laertes directly confronts
father” Claudius, calling him "vile" and
demanding justice for Polonius.
The blunt imperative highlights
Laertes' passion and contrasts
with Hamlet's hesitation. It
exemplifies the theme of
revenge and exposes Claudius'
vulnerability when faced with
righteous anger.
“That drop of blood that’s calm Laertes insists that failing to
proclaims me bastard, Cries avenge Polonius would
“Cuckold!” to my father” dishonour his lineage, equating
calmness with illegitimacy. The
imagery of "bastard" and
"cuckold" emphasises honour
and family duty, showing how
revenge is tied to identity and
masculinity. This dramatises the
cultural pressure to act violently
in response to loss.
“Let come what comes, only I’ll Laertes vows absolute revenge,
be revenged Most thoroughly for prioritising it above all else. The
my father” phrase "most thoroughly"
conveys his determination and
contrasts with Hamlet's
indecision. This exemplifies the
destructive cycle of vengeance,
where personal grief escalates
into inevitable tragedy.
“By heaven, thy madness shall Laertes swears divine justice
be paid by weight, Till our scale against Hamlet, using the
turn the beam.” metaphor of scales to suggest
balance and retribution. The
imagery of "weight" conveys the
inevitability of punishment,
linking revenge to cosmic order.
“I came to Denmark to show my Laertes declares loyalty to Claudius
duty in your coronation.” at the coronation. Exemplifies how
nobles must publicly show
allegiance to royal power, in
contrast to Hamlet’s resistance.
“For Hamlet, and the trifling of his Laertes compares Hamlet’s
favor, Hold it a fashion and a toy in affection to a fleeting flower —
blood, A violet in the youth of intense but short-lived. Exemplifies
primy nature, Forward, not scepticism about youthful passion
permanent, sweet, not lasting,” and foreshadows Ophelia’s
disappointment.
“Think it no more. For nature Laertes warns that as Hamlet
crescent° does not grow alone In matures physically, his mind and
thews° and bulk, but as this duties will grow too. Exemplifies
temple° waxes, The inward service the idea that Hamlet’s future
of the mind and soul Grows wide responsibilities as prince outweigh
withal.” personal love.
“his will is not his own. For he Hamlet’s desires are constrained
himself is subject to his birth.” by duty to Denmark. Exemplifies
Renaissance ideas of rank and duty
over personal freedom, and the
tension between private love and
public role.
“Then weigh what loss your honor Laertes urges Ophelia to consider
may sustain” her reputation if she yields to
Hamlet. Exemplifies the patriarchal
obsession with female chastity as
central to family honour.
“Or lose your heart, or your chaste He warns that Hamlet’s lust could
treasure open To his unmastered rob her of both love and virginity.
importunity.” Exemplifies how female sexuality is
framed as a “treasure” that must
be guarded.
“Out of the shot and danger of Even the most cautious woman
desire. The chariest maid is risks ruin if she engages desire.
prodigal enough” Exemplifies how women are
depicted as vulnerable and must
distance themselves from
temptation.
“Be wary then; best safety lies in Laertes insists fear is the best form
fear;” of protection. Exemplifies how
Ophelia is taught to live
defensively, embodying the
repression of women’s autonomy.
Messenger: “The cry….’Laertes The people's cry for Laertes as
shall be King! Laertes King!’” king reflects political instability
in Denmark and the fragility of
, Claudius' rule. It shows how
grief and anger can erupt into
rebellion, linking private tragedy
(Polonius' death) with public
disorder. This moment
underscores the theme of
legitimacy and foreshadows
Claudius' downfall.
“O though vile King, Give me my Laertes directly confronts
father” Claudius, calling him "vile" and
demanding justice for Polonius.
The blunt imperative highlights
Laertes' passion and contrasts
with Hamlet's hesitation. It
exemplifies the theme of
revenge and exposes Claudius'
vulnerability when faced with
righteous anger.
“That drop of blood that’s calm Laertes insists that failing to
proclaims me bastard, Cries avenge Polonius would
“Cuckold!” to my father” dishonour his lineage, equating
calmness with illegitimacy. The
imagery of "bastard" and
"cuckold" emphasises honour
and family duty, showing how
revenge is tied to identity and
masculinity. This dramatises the
cultural pressure to act violently
in response to loss.
“Let come what comes, only I’ll Laertes vows absolute revenge,
be revenged Most thoroughly for prioritising it above all else. The
my father” phrase "most thoroughly"
conveys his determination and
contrasts with Hamlet's
indecision. This exemplifies the
destructive cycle of vengeance,
where personal grief escalates
into inevitable tragedy.
“By heaven, thy madness shall Laertes swears divine justice
be paid by weight, Till our scale against Hamlet, using the
turn the beam.” metaphor of scales to suggest
balance and retribution. The
imagery of "weight" conveys the
inevitability of punishment,
linking revenge to cosmic order.
